Investigate: A five part interactive study.
Discover Jesus for yourself.

Section 4: Jesus: Sent by God to die as our Mediator and Redeemer.

At the trial of Jesus it seemed that both the weak-willed Roman governor, Pilate, and the shouts of the crowd sent Jesus to death. In fact, the Bible tells us that these events amazingly formed part of God's purpose.

Jesus took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, "Listen! We are going to Jerusalem where everything the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will come true. He will be handed over to the Gentiles, who will make fun of Him, insult Him, and spit on Him. They will whip him and kill Him, but on the third day he will rise to life." The disciples did not understand any of these things. (Luke 18:31-34a)

How was the second criminal's reply different from that of the first? (23:39-42)

What did he recognize about Jesus?

What did the army officer say when Jesus died? (23:47)

What do you think Jesus' attitude was while he was being crucified? (23:34,43,46)

This study is about Jesus the Redeemer. To redeem means to buy something back, to recover something by payment. Jesus' death was for the sake of other people, to bring them back to God.

TO THINK ABOUT

As the criminal faced his own death, he asked Jesus to remember him in his future Kingdom. Jesus promised that the robber would be with him that day in Paradise. In what ways can we have the same hope as the criminal did after hearing Jesus' words?